Travel insurance fraud acceptable for many Brits

02 February 2009 15:40

Nearly five million Brits do not think there is anything wrong with making a false claim on their holiday insurance or any other insurance policies, it has been revealed.

According to research by commercial insurer RSA, little more than a half of all people strongly agree that it is wrong to lie on a travel insurance claim - evidence, it suggests, that the economic climate is creating a more laidback attitude towards fraud.

In March 2008, RSA found that 3.6 million people did not think it was wrong to lie on an insurance claim, a figure that now stands at 4.7 million.

John Beadle, counter-fraud manager of RSA, expressed concern that people are failing to realise that "committing insurance fraud is a serious offence", adding that such acts cost honest customers more than £1.6 billion a year.

On a more positive note, he suggested: "We believe we are gradually winning the battle and the fraudsters are facing the consequences with the prospect of criminal convictions and the fact that they might find it difficult to obtain insurance cover or other financial services in the future."

While many are tempted to lie on a claim or travel without insurance to save money, provider greenbee.com warned recently that it is "irresponsible" for people to set off without adequate and legitimate cover.